Scripture Reference: Ruth 2
The beginning of the barley harvest at the end of the previous chapter symbolizes a new season in the lives of the two widows- Ruth and Naomi.
Chapter 2 begins with a brief introduction to a relative of Naomi’s late husband- Boaz, a man of great wealth (Ruth 2:1)
Boaz would play a pivotal role in redeeming the widows and restoring all they lost in their spiritual drought (while in a foreign land).
The meeting of Ruth and Boaz is more than just a chance encounter. The favor of God which caused the young widow to come to and glean in the latter’s field will be a pervasive theme throughout the rest of the book.
Unearned, Unearned, Overflowing Abundance
The word favor is repeated thrice throughout this chapter to remind the reader again and again of what caused this foreigner to end up with a bag of goodies that she didn’t even work hard for!
Even before she set out for the field, Ruth speaks of finding favor with the person in whose field she would be gleaning.
She is aware of her social status- a widow plus a foreigner- that made her unqualified to seek a share in the harvest. So all she wanted to do was to glean- collect what was left over.
And yet when Boaz sees her in his field, he is generous enough to let her not only glean but even have water from the same vessels as used by his hired hands!
What’s more when it is mealtime, he invites Ruth to eat their bread and sit with his reapers! (Ruth 2:14)
He even instructs his men to purposely let grain fall from the bundles, leaving it for her to glean. (Ruth 2:16)
By the time Ruth was done for the day and beaten out what she had gleaned, she had an ephah of barley (equivalent to a bushel)!
Favor overtook Ruth every step of the way, and she witnessed the goodness of God in this undeserved, unearned, overflowing abundance.
Saved By Grace Through Faith
This first encounter between Ruth and Boaz serves as a shadow of things to come- a redemption that would be reenacted at a greater price- the blood of the lamb.
Hundreds of years later, a descendant of Ruth and Boaz would show greater grace (unmerited favor) to a five-times-wed-now-living-in-adultery, Samaritan woman (John 4).
He would go through Samaria, and sit near a well at midday, waiting to encounter her and change her heart forever.
She would be the first to know Him for who He was- the Messiah (John 4:25-26).
And having been saved by grace, through faith, she would evangelize- telling the very people she had previously avoided about Christ, the son of God. (John 4:28-29)
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
In the chapters to come, Boaz will redeem Ruth and Naomi from their cursed fate. He would pay the price and act as their kinsman redeemer.
Jesus, our Heavenly Boaz, has paid for our cursed fate with His priceless blood that continuously washes from every sin- past, present, and future- establishing our identity as the righteousness of God in Christ.
Because of His blood, we can stand in Abba’s presence as kings and priests (Revelation 1:5-6), rightfully claiming (not gleaning) an inheritance that we don’t deserve- by faith in Yeshua and through His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
To Christ alone be all honor and glory and praise.
Now and forever more,
Amen!
